Energy (oil, gas, mining, nuclear) : Current practices, challenges and possibilities with respect to the use of Robotics in the various energy industries

Robotics make sense in the energy industries for vaious reasons. It makes operations safer, as companies need automation to go where workers cannot, such as in the deep-see mining, or at least where it is dangerous for workers to go. Also robotics could make operations  less expensive, by reducing the number of people needed, and more effective as the robots are able to perform duties continuously, on 24/7 basis. Autonomous robotic solutions are needed to enable installation, maintenance and repair of equipment located in remote plants. Robots can perform several tasks like inspection, maintenance & repair , waste sorting and packing, routine monitoring, emergency intervention.
However, it seems the firms in this sector are resistant to robotics automation, even if they are arriving at a point beyond which conventional strategies and tools no longer give competitive advantages.
The track will focus on the factors working for and against the adoption of automation in the energy sector as well as the value chains and business opportunities.